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PHOTO BY NITA JOHNSON Jeannie Beck Goins , left , brings in diapers and wipes as a donation to assist in the operations of the Laurel County Life Center . Also pictured is Bobbie Larkey Womack , an employee at the Center .
The store offers diapers , formula , new and nearly new clothing , cribs , playpens and other supplies that often drain a tight household budget .
“ You earn 12 points for taking the classes and you get one large item — baby furniture like a crib and mattress , a convertible car seat or a Pack-n-Play . That ’ s just for 12 classes and you can get those without spending any points . You can use your points for formula , food , blankets , books , toys , clothes , and diapers and wipes ,” Taylor explained .
The program is open to anyone with children under age 2 , regardless of income .
“ There is no income level . The only requirement is that you have a child under 2 years old . This includes foster parents , grandparents raising grandchildren , or a family member raising a child under 2 ,” Taylor said .
“ We also have Fatherhood classes . We want fathers to be involved in the child ’ s life . This is one way for them to be more involved ,” she added . The third program is “ Beyond If Only .” “ This is for women who have had an abortion or have had a pregnancy loss . Some women who have had an abortion in the past have problems dealing with it .
We offer faith-based private counseling sessions to help them ,” Taylor added . “ All our programs are faith-based .”
Some of those programs extend to families who utilized the Life Center and come back , just to stay in touch . Taylor said some of those families assist with incoming families .
“ People come back , even after their child is past 2 years old . We tailor our classes to the individual family ,” she said . “ We offer spiritual guidance , like telling that Jesus loves you and to call on him . We look at the moral issues and allow people to talk about their problems .”
Taylor said the Laurel County Life Center also has parenting classes for older children .
“ One of our classes is Parenting Philosophy that can be used for teens ,” she said . “ It deals with discipline , tantrums , and gives advice . We also have videos about pregnancy that prepares you for the birth and delivery .”
But providing these services — especially the items families need to care for their child — is expensive and at times the stock gets low . In those cases , the Life Center appeals to their supporters to assist them .
The Life Center operates on donations from private individuals , churches or other organizations . Each January , the Center involves churches and other organizations for a donation drive . Taylor said that occurs to help restock supplies of diapers , formula , clothing and other items . The donations can also be monetary , which allows the Life Center staff to purchase items not donated .
“ We run low on supplies sometimes and we work with the churches and other organizations to get our supplies stocked back up ,” she said .
“ The biggest concern we hear is trying to afford a child ,” Taylor said . “ Prices go up for food , diapers and formula go up . People are struggling with finding money to provide for the child appropriately . We give them items to help out .”
The programs and ministry that the Laurel County Life Center hosts gives Taylor a sense of fulfillment . She feels that her position as director of the Life Center was led by God .
“ I feel the Lord placed me here . I was in college studying child development ,” she said . “ I applied for the HANDS program ( Health Access Nurturing Development Services ). They referred me here ,” she said . “ I didn ’ t know this place existed ; this has to be one of London ’ s best kept secrets . A lot of people still don ’ t know we ’ re here or the services we offer .”
Taylor said the Life Center “ forms a community ” for women facing the trials of dealing with small children .
“ Having a baby is very isolating ,” she said . “ Here , it gives people a chance to talk with other adults . That ’ s why we started the fatherhood program . The fathers can come here and do research and get information . We offer a full family approach , because it ’ s better all around if the whole family is involved .” The Laurel County Life Center is located at 830 South Main Street , Suite 4 , in the same building as Benchmark Mortgage . Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a . m . to 4:30 p . m . by appointment only by calling ( 606 ) 877- 1717 or emailing lclifecenter1 @ gmail . com . You can also contact them through their Facebook and Instagram pages .